06/02/2025
⚠ SCAM ALERT – BEWARE OF BANK TRANSFER FRAUDSTERS! ⚠
This afternoon, a man a name may is fake name aswell Thomas and gives this number os the receipt: 07936913874 attempted to buy an iPhone 12 from us. He claimed he had forgotten his cards at home and asked if he could make a bank transfer instead. He made the transfer and showed us a payment confirmation. However, after several minutes, the money had not arrived – which is unusual, as bank transfers are usually instantaneous between UK banks.
When we questioned the delay, he said he was using Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and that the transfer might take up to two hours because it was from a Scottish bank. This was all part of the scam!
We contacted our bank to verify the transaction while he remained waiting. The bank confirmed that no payment had been received and advised us to contact the sender’s bank. He immediately offered to call his bank himself, which seemed suspicious. When we insisted on making the call instead, he quickly ran away – confirming that it was a scam!
How does this scam work?
These scammers use fake banking apps or edited screenshots to show a false payment confirmation. They rely on sellers trusting the "proof" and handing over the item before realising the money never arrives. They also use excuses like "my bank is in Scotland, so it takes longer" to make the delay seem normal. This type of fraud is becoming more common, not only in physical stores but also in private sales, such as those on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and other online platforms.
Details about the scammer:
He was well-dressed and did not wear a hoodie or anything suspicious.
He came with an older woman, claiming she was his mother, making him appear more trustworthy.
He acted very confident and patient, pretending to wait for the transfer to go through.
He used Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) as an excuse for the delayed payment.
🚨 Please be extra cautious when accepting bank transfers from unknown buyers! 🚨 Always verify the payment directly with your bank before handing over any items. If someone insists that the money has been sent but it does not appear in your account, do not trust screenshots or excuses – it is likely a scam!
Help spread the word to prevent others from falling victim to this scam! Stay safe!
